Alright, everybody, welcome back to Repticon Reptile Shows! Jay Tacey here, and today we're diving into Repticon Lakeland, coming to the RP Funding Center on September 27th and 28th, 2025. If you haven't marked your calendar, expo hours are 9 AM to 4 PM Saturday and 10 AM to 4 PM Sunday. So, plan for a whole weekend of Repticon magic!Hey friends! It’s Lisa—so glad to be back with the crew for this episode. Lakeland is one of my personal favorites, partly ‘cause of all the memories and, you know, organizing chaos behind the scenes! What I love most is the all-ages vibe—there’s hands-on animal interactions, vendor showcases, and much more, so whether you're a little kid, seasoned collector, or brand new to exotics, there’s something for you. I mean, where else do you get snakes, lizards, plushies, and a scavenger hunt all under the same roof?Exactly, Lisa. I remember at a previous expo—actually, I think this would've been two or three years back?—we had a young girl who got so fascinated by tortoises, she just plopped down and started sketching them right in the middle of the walkway. Her mum told me that’s all she drew for the rest of the year. It’s those stories, you know, that show how these events really plant the seeds of curiosity and animal welfare in the next generation. Gives me hope, honestly.Absolutely, Guy. And you know, that's something we've come back to again and again on the podcast—the way these shows are more than just a marketplace, they're about building connections, sparking those little "aha" moments, and maybe inspiring a lifelong passion. Alright, speaking of excitement, let’s dig into which vendors are making Lakeland a true can't-miss this year.Oh, I'm ready for this one. So, I gotta shout out Artistic Reptiles, straight outta Zephyrhills, Florida. If you want variety, they're it—lace and black dragon monitors, geckos, ball pythons, sulcata tortoises, you name it. But what really stands out? Their prebuilt bioactive habitats. Plants, isopods, lighting—it’s all included. Makes leveling up your reptile game easy.Yeah, and I'm gonna piggyback off that with Jade Dragon Invertebrates from Apopka. If you came to Lakeland last year, you saw Jaida there with tables full of isopods, millipedes, and some of the coolest handmade ant nests I've seen. It's not just bugs in plastic cups—it’s a whole micro-ecosystem. And for kids or anyone interested in building bioactive setups, you can grab supplies and honest-to-goodness advice on how to use 'em. Their booth is like a playground for aspiring invertebrate keepers. Plus, ant-keeping is a whole thing now—don't sleep on it!So true, Jay, and I love seeing all the young naturalists just light up over inverts. But I can't let us skip Krafty Kraken—shoutout to Lakeland locals! They do these handmade crochet plushies that look like spiders, snakes, axolotls—the cutest I’ve seen. If your little one isn't ready for a live critter or if you're just after an adorable souvenir, these plushies are perfect. They sell out fast at each show. Seriously, try to bring home a snake plushie and not smile. Impossible.It's true! My son refuses to sleep without his axolotl from them! And they’re a big reason, honestly, why the expo’s such a hit for families—it’s not always about who has the rarest snake, sometimes it's finding something approachable and unique for everyone.That's right, and I’ve noticed how even these vendors—whether it’s living animals or creative crafts—bring the community closer. Like, in my conservation work, we always talk about engagement starting with that very first “wow” moment, whether it’s a live gecko or a plush spider. And those small, approachable booths are gateways for families who may not have considered animals before. It’s all interconnected, really.Yeah, ties back into what we discussed a couple episodes ago with vendor diversity—there’s something special about seeing seasoned breeders next to creatives, together in one place. Alright, moving along, let’s get real: how do you actually squeeze the most fun and value out of the expo?Alright, expo pro tips coming up! Tip one, get there early. The best animals and products go quick, and if you wanna chat with vendors before booths get busy, morning’s your friend. Tip number two, bring cash. Some smaller vendors don’t take cards, and trust me, your bank app will glitch just when you spot your dream snake. Also, download the vendor map—seriously, it’s a lifesaver, helps you plan your must-sees and not wander in circles searching for "the tarantula guy."And don’t forget the scavenger hunt! That's one of my favorite parts—we hide clues all over the show floor, tucked away at different booths. Scan the QR code at check in, look for the clues, and if you bring back a complete list, there are special prizes waiting at the Premium Crickets booth. It’s a blast, adds that little extra challenge, and keeps families exploring the whole venue.Now, if you've been to a few expos, you'll know—don’t be shy about asking questions. Vendors love it. Where did this animal come from, what’s its diet, what are the quirks? The more you ask, the better you’ll understand and, quite frankly, the more fun you’ll have. Oh, and keep an eye on the event’s official social media for schedule updates, special presentations, or last-minute surprises. Always something going on, so you don’t wanna miss the panel talk or that weird lizard handling demo that only pops up once. And, above all, take your time for the hands-on learning stations—that's where real curiosity gets sparked.Definitely. It’s not about speed-running the expo—take it all in, especially if you’ve got young ones. A lot of families tell me it’s the highlight of their fall, and for some, it's the start of a lifelong interest.Couldn’t agree more. And hey, if you spot me with my kazoo, come say hi—I’ll point you to my favorite booths. That’s a promise!Alright, that wraps up our Lakeland Repticon adventure for today. There’s always more to explore at every Repticon, so keep an ear out for the next show. Thanks for tuning in, and thanks Lisa, Guy, Michael—always a pleasure talking reptiles and making these expos even more fun.Cheers, everyone. Hope to see you at the expo, and bring your questions—I love a good discussion at the booth!Bye, friends—come say hey at Lakeland, and bring your best scavenger hunt energy!Catch y’all at the expo. And don’t forget—support your favorite vendors, big and small. See ya next time!

Episodes

Lakeland Repticon Adventure